Hugh Douglas and Michael Smith, ESPN TV co-hosts, Nearly Came to Blows During Altercation at a Party [UPDATE]

Hugh Douglas and Michael Smith, two thirds of ESPN’s afternoon TV show, Numbers Never Lie, were involved in a heated verbal altercation Friday night at a party in Orlando, three sources who witnessed the incident exclusively tell the Big Lead.

Douglas, a former NFL defensive lineman, is 6-foot-2 and more than 280 pounds; Smith, a journalist, is considerably smaller. It is unclear if the altercation got physical, but a source who witnessed most of the skirmish described the dust-up as “very ugly.”

One source who was at the party said the verbal barbs were so nasty that “there’s no way” Douglas will be on Numbers Never Lie this week. An ESPN spokesman wouldn’t confirm that.

[UPDATE: ESPN spokesman David Scott has just released a statement to The Big Lead: “We are aware there was a disagreement between Hugh Douglas and Michael Smith on Friday. We are looking into the situation.”]

Jason McIntyre

Spent a few years as a sportswriter in newspapers, then a few years as a magazine reporter, and freelanced for many outlets before starting The Big Lead in 2006. It was sold in 2010 and acquired by USA Today in 2012. Jason can also be heard on Fox Sports Radio, Saturday mornings from 6-9 am EST.